Chinese ideals of female beauty

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Female Chinese beauty standards have become a well-known feature of Chinese culture. A 2018 survey conducted by the Great British Academy of Aesthetic Medicine concluded that Chinese beauty culture prioritizes an oval face shape, pointed, narrow chin, plump lips, well defined Cupid's bows, and obtuse jaw angle. [1] The importance of feminine beauty in China has been deeply ingrained into the culture: historically, a woman's livelihood was often determined by her ability to find an eligible husband, a feat aided by fitting into the cultural ideals of beauty. [2]

Contents

Black hair that is long, thick and shiny is seen as particularly beautiful on women in China. [3] [4] Similarly, pale, ivory skin, and a slim body figure have historical implications as being a physical representation of wealth and affluence. More recently, however, tan skin has emerged as the preferred beauty ideal among some younger Chinese women, who view their tan skin as healthier and more attractive than pale skin. [5]

A relatively new ideal ingrained into Chinese culture consists of the notion of having a double eyelid. The term double eyelid refers to the prominent crease natural to approximately 66.7% and 83.1% of Chinese women. [6] This look can be achieved temporarily by using specific cosmetic products such as tape or glue. A permanent option is to undergo a procedure titled blepharoplasty, which utilizes cosmetic surgery to reshape the eyelid. [7]

Li Bingbing, a Chinese actress Li Bingbing Cannes 2011.jpg
Li Bingbing, a Chinese actress
A Chinese woman during the Qing dynasty Reclining woman with bound feet.JPG
A Chinese woman during the Qing dynasty

History

Xishi, one of the Four Beauties Hua Li Zhu Cui Xiu Gathering Gems of Beauty (Wu Xi Shi ) 2.jpg
Xishi, one of the Four Beauties

The emphasis that both Taoist and Confucian notions of female beauty place on the relationship between inner and outer beauty has influenced the creation of the Chinese female beauty ideal. To further see the history of this culture, as well as how these ideals came into place see Chinese Culture. Outer beauty was thought to represent virtuousness, talent, and other positive characteristics.

In Taoist thought, women with masculine voices make poor sexual partners, because this trait suggests an excess of qi that inhibits the attainment of sexual harmony. In her article "Female Bodily Aesthetics, Politics, and Feminine Ideals of Beauty," Eva Kit Wah Man articulates how Confucianism and Taoism played essential roles in the creation of Chinese beauty ideals: "In the Chinese tradition, as in other cultures, both the external sexual and inner moral dimensions determine the beauty of a woman…The notion of female beauty comes from both (Taoism and Confucianism)." "Femininity" does not refer to an aspect of a dichotomy between mind and body, as there is no such dichotomy in Chinese philosophy. Women in China also expands on these ideals, delving into the impact women have in Chinese society. [8] Thus, historically, the religious influences on Chinese beauty ideals closely tied outer beauty to inner beauty. Historically, an oval face, willow leaf eyebrows, long thin eyes, small lips, and a slim, fragile-looking body were preferred during the Tang dynasty. [9]

Modern Chinese society is highly influenced by Western capitalist and Marxist thoughts. The Chinese would not describe themselves as a completely capitalist country, nor a purely Marxist country. They fundamentally ignore this type of question about the essence of its political position, and develop their economy, politics, culture and feminism in their own way. They call themselves a socialist market economy with Chinese characteristics. The rise of Chinese feminist development is highly influenced by the claims of the "new " China (since the early 19th century) and its government that it would save the Chinese woman from the "old society" and set women's minds free (Chun, 2008). An article published in the widely circulated journal Dushu uses an earlier nativist satire to argue that women themselves voluntarily desired the beauty of small feet (footbinding) into the first decades of the twentieth century, despite the elite, male-dominated discourse of liberation and equality that assailed the practice, claiming, "during the long historical period when foot binding became common women's way of life, foot binding was just considered the most natural physical behavior for girls. Foot binding was as common as eating and dressing. Foot binding was also a way for women to seek physical beauty." [10] [11]

Cultural ideas on women's beauty

Chinese culture greatly values the appearance of women. This is evidenced in the business environment as well as the social environment. John Osburg, Director of Anthropology at the University of Rochester in his book, Anxious Wealth, explores the gender relations in Post Mao China, documenting the well-known disparity that exists between men and women. A theme of his work is that the objectification of women as a commonplace in Chinese culture creates the gender inequalities that are still prevalent today. [12]

"The vast majority of entrepreneurs in post-Mao China are men. This is largely due to the fact that business networking requires entering spaces (such as nightclubs and saunas) and participating in activities (drinking, gambling, and sex consumption) that are not viewed as appropriate for "proper" women....these networks constitute a key component of business...the bulk of the relationships of these networks are forged and maintained through ritualized leisure-experiences of shared pleasures catering to the desires and enjoyments of elite men, including karaoke clubs, saunas, nightclubs, high-end restaurants, and teahouses. [12]

As Osburg details, the karaoke clubs, saunas, nightclubs, etc. are meant to attract the businessmen, as there are also multiple red light districts around these areas. Prostitution in China further expands on these areas and this culture. In many cases, relationships between employees, co-workers, partners, etc. are forged through these settings. Based on these traditional practices, it can be stated that it is of utmost importance then for the women to be aesthetically pleasing, further highlighting women's attempt to capture beauty, or at least capture the way it is perceived by Chinese Culture. [12]

Hair

On a woman, long, shining black hair is regarded as exceptionally beautiful, particularly when its growth is strong and luxuriant. [3]

Double eyelid

Double eyelids are unconditionally considered beautiful in East Asian society. [13] The double eyelid is a crease in the small flap of skin that covers the eye. It has been estimated that 40–60% of East Asians lack this upper eyelid crease, giving them a monolid appearance. [14] However, this is not ideal when it comes to Chinese beauty.

Blepharoplasty before and after Une Sud-Coreenne, avant (en haut) et apres (en bas) une blepharoplastie d'Asie de l'Est.png
Blepharoplasty before and after

A study looked at which type of eyelid was considered most attractive on Chinese women. Edited photographs of young Chinese women's eyes were presented to the test participants. It found that there was significant preference for the double eyelid while the single eyelid was considered to be the least attractive. [15] Because of this, many Chinese women go through a surgery that creates a fold in the upper eyelid giving them the double eyelid. This procedure, called blepharoplasty, typically costs around $3,000. [16] During this 30 minute surgery, doctors cut, fold, and stitch the upper eyelids, creating a small crease above the eyelids. [17] This operation makes the eye appear larger and more round, giving the woman a more desirable look.

Skin and body

Skin tone

In ancient times, skin tone was known to indicate social class. Women of wealthy backgrounds did not have to perform agricultural work, and thus did not acquire a dark complexion. Thus a lighter skin became associated with wealth and power. Due to this perception, there has been social pressure in Chinese cultures to avoid direct sunlight in the outdoors. [18] [19]

More recently, however, tan skin has emerged as the new female beauty ideal among younger women, who view their tan skin as healthier and more attractive than pale skin. According to Tai Wei Lim, Chinese women in media now sport bronze complexions, and this is viewed as a reclamation of women's autonomy within China. [5]

Body shape

In the Spring and Autumn period (722–481 BC), Emperor Chu desired a slim waist; women in his harem often starved themselves to death in order to capture his attention. [20] Historic trends of women developing anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder, to fit trends of beauty represents systemic psychology still influence today's culture surrounding body image. Chinese figures such as Zhao Feiyan were renowned for their small waists and continue to be glorified to this day. Similar to the aforementioned feet binding, waist binding was common practice; men were attracted to women who swayed when they walked due to improper hip growth. [21] In the later Tang dynasty, fuller figures were more popular due to associations with good fortune and wealth. The Chinese idiom huanfei yanshou (環肥燕瘦, literally "plump Huan, slender Fei") is used to refer to the range of types of beauties. Yang Yuhuan, the "plump Huan", is estimated by unofficial records to have been 1.65 meters tall and weighed 69 kilograms.

Modern Chinese people have long considered the ideal woman's body to be relatively tall, slim, and curvaceous. [22] Fascination towards height has continued to increase as evidenced by Chinese beauty pageant winners, but this could correlate more to global pageant standards rather than cultural ideals. [23] Values of fragility in Chinese culture have proven to be relatively prevalent and stable.

See also

General:

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eyelid</span> Thin fold of skin that covers and protects the eye

An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid, exposing the cornea to the outside, giving vision. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily. "Palpebral" means relating to the eyelids. Its key function is to regularly spread the tears and other secretions on the eye surface to keep it moist, since the cornea must be continuously moist. They keep the eyes from drying out when asleep. Moreover, the blink reflex protects the eye from foreign bodies. A set of specialized hairs known as lashes grow from the upper and lower eyelid margins to further protect the eye from dust and debris.

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References

  1. ↑ Samizadeh, Souphiyeh; Wu, Woffles (2018-07-09). "Ideals of Facial Beauty Amongst the Chinese Population: Results from a Large National Survey". Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 42 (6): 1540–1550. doi:10.1007/s00266-018-1188-9. ISSN   0364-216X. PMC   6280816 . PMID   29987486.
  2. ↑ "<italic>The Life of Moses Coit Tyler</italic>. By <sc>Howard Mumford Jones</sc>. Based upon an Unpublished Dissertation from Original Sources by <sc>Thomas Edgar Casady</sc>. (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. 1933. Pp. xi, 354. $2.50.)". The American Historical Review. 1934. doi:10.1086/ahr/40.1.152. ISSN   1937-5239.
  3. 1 2 Eberhard, W. (2006). Dictionary of Chinese Symbols: Hidden Symbols in Chinese Life and Thought. Routledge Dictionaries. Taylor & Francis. p. 163. ISBN   978-1-134-98865-5 . Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  4. ↑ Godley, Michael R. "The end of the queue: hair as symbol in Chinese history". East Asian History (8): 53–72.
  5. 1 2 Lim, Tai Wei (22 February 2021). Women Hold Up Half The Sky: The Political-economic And Socioeconomic Narratives Of Women In China. World Scientific. pp. 47–48. ISBN   978-981-12-2620-5.
  6. ↑ Lu, Ting Yin; Kadir, Kathreena; Ngeow, Wei Cheong (2017). "The Prevalence of Double Eyelid and the 3D Measurement of Orbital Soft Tissue in Malays and Chinese". Scientific Reports. 7 (7): 14819. Bibcode:2017NatSR...714819L. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-14829-4. PMC   5665901 . PMID   29093554.
  7. ↑ Rohrich, Rod J.; Coberly, Dana M.; Fagien, Steven; Stuzin, James M. (2004). "Current Concepts in Aesthetic Upper Blepharoplasty". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 113 (3): 32e–42e. doi:10.1097/01.PRS.0000105684.06281.32. ISSN   0032-1052. PMID   15536308. S2CID   42442451.
  8. ↑ Kit Wah Man, Eva (2000), "Female Bodily Aesthetics, Politics, and Feminine Ideals of Beauty in China", Beauty Matters, Indiana Univ Pr, pp. 169–96, ISBN   0253213754
  9. ↑ "Future Faces: Vogue China and Curating Chinese Beauty". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
  10. ↑ Chun, Lin (2008). On Feminism and China: Foot-Binding as an Aesthetic, History and Dialogue (PDF). New York. pp. 23–30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2011-08-03.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  11. ↑ LI, Wei-xiang (2011). "From Foot-binding to High-heeled Shoes——The Transition of Modern Chinese Women's Physical Aesthetic Symbols". Journal of Shandong Women's University. 2011 (1): 47–50 – via China Academic Journals (CD Edition) Electronic Publishing House Co., Ltd. 但在缠足成为普通 女性生活方式的那段漫长的历史时期‚恰恰缠足才 被认为是女孩子最天然的身体行为‚缠足就如同吃 饭穿衣一样平常‚缠足亦是女性寻求身体美的一种 方式
  12. 1 2 3 Osburg, John. Anxious Wealth: Money and Morality among China's New Rich.
  13. ↑ Kyo, Cho (2012). The Search for the Beautiful Woman : A Cultural History of Japanese and Chinese Beauty. Translated by Selden, Kyoko Iriye. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 224. ISBN   9781442218932.
  14. ↑ Li, F. C.; Ma, L. H. (2008). "Double eyelid blepharoplasty incorporating epicanthoplasty using Y-V advancement procedure". Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 61 (8): 901–5. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2007.05.008. PMID   17606424.
  15. ↑ Hwang, H. S.; Spiegel, J. H. (2014). "The effect of "single" vs "double" eyelids on the perceived attractiveness of Chinese women". Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 34 (3): 374–82. doi: 10.1177/1090820X14523020 . PMID   24604790.
  16. ↑ "What Is Eyelid Surgery?" American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2014. Web. 26 Oct. 2016. <https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery?sub=Eyelid%2Bsurgery%2Bcost>.
  17. ↑ Hays, Jeffrey. "Cosmetic Surgery in China." Home. July 2015. Web. 26 Oct. 2016. <http://factsanddetails.com/china/cat11/sub75/item136.html>.
  18. ↑ Adrian, B. (2003). Framing the Bride: Globalizing Beauty and Romance in Taiwan's Bridal Industry. University of California Press. p. 165. ISBN   978-0-520-23834-3 . Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  19. ↑ Department of Asian Art. "Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.)." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hand/hd_hand.htm (October 2000)
  20. ↑ Katzman, Melanie A.; Lee, Sing (1997). <385::aid-eat3>3.0.co;2-i "Beyond body image: The integration of feminist and transcultural theories in the understanding of self starvation". International Journal of Eating Disorders. 22 (4): 385–394. doi:10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199712)22:4<385::aid-eat3>3.0.co;2-i. ISSN   0276-3478. PMID   9356886.
  21. ↑ "Dorothy Ko. <italic>Teachers of the Inner Chambers: Women and Culture in Seventeenth-Century China</italic>. Stanford: Stanford University Press. 1994. Pp. ix, 395. Cloth $45.00, paper $16.95". The American Historical Review. 1996. doi:10.1086/ahr/101.3.892-a. ISSN   1937-5239.
  22. ↑ Leung, Freedom; Lam, Sharon; Sze, Sherrien (2001). "Cultural Expectations of Thinness in Chinese Women". Eating Disorders. 9 (4): 339–350. doi:10.1080/106402601753454903. PMID   16864394. S2CID   5680508.
  23. ↑ Chang, K. S. F.; Lee, Marjorie M. C.; Low, W. D.; Kvan, E. (1963). "Height and weight of Southern Chinese children". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 21 (4): 497–509. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330210407. ISSN   0002-9483. PMID   14185528.
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